Here's today's last reminder of the upcoming RCS session to help you plan the day during breakfast! To help you remember what you've attended when you get back home, you can reference the full RCS sessions list in our prior post here.

As IBM moves to a common install technology, a number of challenges and opportunities arise in large enterprise environments. In particular, using the IBM Installation Manager technology to manage large scale deployments in environments with limited user control requires careful planning to complete successfully. This session looks at real world examples that use the Installation Manager to deploy a number of IBM Rational products including Rational Software Architect, Rational Functional Tester, and Rational Team Concert. Learn how one customer used the opportunities to overcome some of the challenges they faced. We will also look at broader lessons learned from these examples, and discuss best practices around the use of Installation Manager in large enterprise environments

Here's today's reminder of the upcoming RCS session! Keep an eye here tomorrow as we post the final day's reminders at 7:30am EDT to help you plan the day during breakfast! And don't forget, you can always check out the full RCS sessions list in our prior post here.

This session will explore issues and strategies for CLM administrators, and how to avoid some of these problems when planning and enacting deployments, including presentation of some resources to enable administrator success. The presenters will introduce themselves and their roles and duties and speak on common escalations issues for Administrators as seen by Rational client success organizations. There will be a brief overview of resources for administrators. An example of resources for administrators will be demonstrated.
The presenters will then answer questions and take comments.

Gerald Mitchell, Rational Global Response Team (GRT)

Ginny Ghezzo, Rational Client Relations

Craig Chaney, Jazz Server Development

Wednesday

11:30- 12:30

Europe 3

Jazz Hub open forum discussion

Due to popular demand the Product Manager (Sreenivasan Rajagopal) for Jazz Hub is having an open forum discussion discuss everything Jazz Hub and address your questions.

Fast-Tracking the Deployment and Management of Multi-Instance Rational Team Concert Implementations and Integrations in a Multi-Network Environment

In this presentation, the audience will see innovative concepts in the areas of architecture, virtualization, and automation to support robust and complex Rational Team Concert environments – developed to reduce deployment overhead and increase ROI..
By leveraging virtual technologies and common best practices have helped in the development of a more modular, standardized implementation approach and architecture for RTC along with supporting services and integrations. This solution looks at an approach to solve the challenges of deploying across disconnected networks, allowing for a lean team of administrators to manage over 60 disparate environments both consistently and predictably. You will see innovative concepts in the areas of architecture, virtualization, and automation to support robust and complex RTC environments – developed in the name of survival.

IBM has made many updates to its online support tools over the past year. Learn the best practices for utilizing these exciting tooling changes and policy updates. We’ll discuss and demo the best ways to work with IBM’s online tools, obtain fixes, manage licenses, and engage IBM’s support engineers. This session is a “must-see” for all IBM clients – large and small.
Additional bonus: We’ll be demoing dramatic design changes planned for later in 2013! See what's coming and provide feedback directly to IBM's web team leadership!

Are you ready to take your reports on the road? Within the CLM solution, IBM now offers an enterprise level reporting solution called Rational Reporting for Development Intelligence (RRDI). RRDI delivers dashboard style reports in a variety of formats. With the RDDI-compatible mobile extension in IBM Cognos, you can deliver highly interactive and self-contained reports to your mobile users. Managers and executives who require high-level and drill-down reports can make business decisions within their organizations on the go. Our goal is to demonstrate the mobile solution using the Cognos 10 Go! Mobile components. We will discuss the deployment, design, implementation, and user experience of IBM Cognos Active Reports. This report delivers powerful capabilities based on data from the CLM applications that your organization can use to make informed business decisions. Take your CLM reports to the next level and join us for a live demonstration on an Apple iPad.

Tuesday's reminder for today's upcoming RCS sessions! We've got three great sessions you won't want to miss today! Keep an eye on the blog this week as we post the day's reminders at 7:30am EDT to help you plan your day during breakfast! And don't forget, you can always check out the full RCS sessions list in our prior post here to start planning tomorrow too!

Session ID #

Day

Time

Room

Topic

SUMMARY

HOSTS

AVP

Tuesday

1:00 - 2:00

Europe 4

AVP Knowledge Sharing Roundtable: Learning/Enablement Needs

Knowledge Sharing is a key initiative of the Accelerated Value Program. In this roundtable discussion, we'll exchange ideas for how Rational solution architects and administrators obtain the advanced knowledge necessary to effectively plan, deploy, and maintain their Rational infrastructure. We'll discuss the best sources of online information, explore opportunities for more formal learning, and exchange ideas for other enablement strategies aimed at ensuring that knowledge gained translates into improved stability and performance for your Rational tool environment.

Jazzing up Rational Customer Service with Rational Team Concert and Rational ClearQuest using Open Services for Lifecycle Collaboration (OSLC)

With a number of disparate systems used to handle the various aspects of customer issues, we had a process of organized chaos that lacked efficiency and was full of communication issues. We needed to implement a new system that closed these gaps, improved efficiency, and customer satisfaction all while utilizing our products and current technology to the best of its abilities. We utilized a combination of Rational ClearQuest (CQ) and Rational Team Concert (RTC) to handle customer escalations, situations, enhancements, and defects. The use of OSLC allowed us to create an integrated solution with RTC work items and CQ records to reduce information duplication and operational costs, foster collaboration between support and development, improve metrics gathering, and simplify the user experience. Rational is sharing our best practices with our customers so they have a better understanding of how we use our own tools and how they can help you get issues resolved.

Rational CLM products are powerful tools and as time goes on, it may be come time to upgrade to the latest version to make use of more features, add in a product offering, or migrate to a different application server. Upgrading and migrating as time goes on can require additional planning for downtime, additional product and version dependencies. Designing and implementing a strategy for success is crucial for a smooth transition. As an example, moving from an older version of Rational CLM products such as 2.0.1.1 to the latest versions require moving through intermediate steps and a thorough understanding of system setup and requirements through the process is critical to success.

Here's today's reminder of the upcoming RCS session! Keep an eye on the blog this week as we post the day's reminders at 7:30am EDT to help you plan the day during breakfast! And don't forget, you can always check out the full RCS sessions list in our prior post here.

Come discuss the manner in which you manage IBM Rational deployments and troubleshoot problems. What works for you and what is lacking? The session leader will review recent serviceability work in the CLM Solution, RDz, and other tools. Use this opportunity to provide the Rational team requirements for the information and tools you need to manage solution deployments. Will touch on the recently introduced Deployment Wiki, Smarter Server (a prototype), recent product upgrades for RDz, RQM, RTC, RRC.

Sharon Tavilla, Program Director Client Solutions Support

Gerald Mitchell, Rational Global Response Team (GRT)

Susan LaFera, Program Director, Rational User Technologies

Monday

2:00 - 3:00

Europe 4

RCS Session: Achieving success with the right technical information

Come join the Rational content development leads to discuss how the world of technical information is changing. Here is your chance to tell us what you need! The information to help you succeed lives in many places and many forms. Learn about recent changes that make it quicker and easier to find Rational technical content.

Welcome to Orlando! Now that we are all arriving here at Voice/Innovate I'd like to take this opportunity to introduce myself. My name is John Banks-Binici, and I'm the new Director of Rational WW Client Success Delivery. I report directly to Wendy Toh Vice President of Rational Client Success. Many of you had a personal and direct relationship with my predecessor, Chris Flynn, over the many years he held this position at Rational Support. I too look forward to building a partnership with all of you to make sure we at Rational are doing all the things you need us to be doing to pro-actively ensure your success with our products and solutions.

I'm very excited about this year's Innovate sessions, especially those presented by our own Rational Client Support teams. We have over 4,000 attendees this year, with 470+ breakout sessions and workshops, 210 client presentations, 135 business partner presentations, and a cutting edge Technology Expo with over 60+ business partner sponsors as well as IBM offerings.

I hope you look forward as much as I do, to this truly unique opportunity to share with each other our successes, our challenges and our plans going forward. If you'd like to meet with me please reach out via your IBM sales account representative and schedule an executive 1x1.

Here's your reminder of the sessions for today! Keep an eye on the blog the rest of the week as we will post the day's reminders at 7:30am EDT to help you plan the day during breakfast! And don't forget, you can always check out the full RCS sessions list in our prior post here.

Session ID #

Day

Time

Room

Topic

SUMMARY

HOSTS

WKS-2017

Open

Open

Europe 5

A virtual scenario for practice performing a CLM server rename

There are various reasons to desire to change the server name: corporate policies change, changing subnets, or to have a fully qualified domain name. There are several use cases which are supported by the server rename capabilities in Rational CLM from creating a new staging environment to going from pilot to production. This hands-on workshop will enable the user to understand the planning and activities involved with renaming a CLM server.

Scrum is one of the most popular approaches used by agile teams and Rational Team Concert one of the best tools available to support it. We briefly review the Scrum framework and then work through an example of setting up a product backlog and planning and executing the first sprint.

Innovate 2013 is IBM's new Technical Summit. If you've not yet solidified your travel and registration, hurry, time is running out!

If you know you can't be there, have no fear, you'll still be able to get some of the great content and information coming out of the conference, here on the Notes from Rational Support blog, over on the Innovate blog, and on the Invisible thread blog as well as through Livestreams of the keynote presentations and roving reporter interviews.

For a taste of what to expect, here are six promo spots on Youtube highlighting some of the tracks available:

Of course this is the track that is near and dear to my heart... more so this year than others as I'll be on the ground at Innovate, live tweeting, blogging, staffing the Social Playground, and helping to answer questions and provide guidance on becoming more social in the business space. If you'll be at Innovate, stop by and say hello; I'd love to meet you all face to face and chat about social support!

A new IBM Rational license key administration and reporting tool is currently under development and will be showcased at both VoiCE and Innovate this year!

At VoiCE, a presentation in the ED session on June 2nd will showcase the license usage reporting functionality of the new tool. Here, we will present and request customer feedback on the peak usage, peak denial, token distribution, charge back, availability, user based, and license expiration reports the tool will provide.

At Innovate, a pedestal demonstration of the new server administrator functionality - including the capacity to view all your served licenses across all your license servers (including both RLKS and JTS), start and stop a license server, and monitor license server status (Stopped / Running / Unreachable) - and the reporting capacities of the new server administrator and reporting tool will be presented. You will also have the opportunity to experience the new server administration and reporting tool first hand, as an image of the tool will be available for you to use.

I'm pleased to announce a virtual opportunity to 'Jam' (collaborate and share feedback) on two topics: DevOps and your information experience with IBM Rational Products. This Information Experience Jam started this week, continues until May 24th, and does not require a confidential disclosure agreement (CDA).

Here's your call to ACTION!

Please register for the Information Experience Jam (if you have not already) and join in the discussions at the following link:

This Jam is an extension to the Orlando VoiCE taking place on June 2nd. Whether or not you are attending the face-to-face event, I welcome you to participate in this virtual event spanning a select set of topics spanning the Rational portfolio.

We look forward to jamming with you!Author: Marie Bradford and the IBM VoiCE Team

The Innovate SmartSite Is Live!The Innovate SmartSiteis now live! As a registered attendee, you can use the SmartSite to view all sessions and activities offered at Innovate 2013, create a personalized agenda, learn more about exhibitors, and more. To log into the SmartSite, create an account using the confirmation number provided in the email you received when you registered. The agenda builder alone is worth its weight!

Stay Ahead: The GameHave some fun in the weeks before Innovate! Innovate 2013 has an official game, Stay Ahead: The Game, written by IBM Software Economist, Innovate speaker and puzzle wizard Walker Royce. You and your colleagues are sure to find fun as you noodle over challenges such as "The Power of Big Data," "Going Beyond the Clouds," and "The ABCs of Social Media." Collaboration helps, so share this game today and see if you have the mental mettle to stay ahead.

Innovate on SlideShareCheck out some of these great Innovate resources: The IBM Rational SlideShare channel has a wide variety of Innovate assets you can use! There's so much content, you'll just have to go there and see, then narrow down into the tracks you're interested in... but don't miss the 5 reasons to attend!

Join Jumpstart at Innovate 2013 in Orlando, FL June 2-6- Innovate 2013, The IBM Technical Summit is just around the corner. Rosa Naranjo be there this year delivering two talks in the Requirements Management and Rational Deployment for Administrators track. Most of her Jazz Jumpstart colleagues will also be there delivering timely topics and workshops ranging from Customizing RTC to Jazz HA/DR Best Practices to Maximizing Jazz Performance. Read on for a handy table you can use to find our sessions.

If you aren't following either of these blogs above (or in the list below) but are interested in Jazz and CLM products, solutions, and best practices... now's the time to plug these in to your favourite RSS reader and stay up to date with them!

Read on to the end of this post for a $300 promo code to save on your registration...

At Innovate 2013: The IBM Technical Summit, there will be more content and activities than ever before; specifically focused on execs, managers, and engineers (systems, software, electrical, QA, etc.) in product and systems development organizations.

Here are eight great reasons from our friends at the Innovate blog showing you why you should attend Innovate 2013:

Dedicated Product & Systems Development Keynote- Last year's standing room only product & systems development keynote is back by popular demand. Executives and thought leaders will share the exciting new developments that IBM is releasing and planning!

Over 100 product & systems development sessions- with our three dedicated tracks (product development, systems engineering and real-time & embedded), plus extensive systems and product development focused technical and industry sessions and workshops, you’ll have lots of sessions to choose from! Featuring lots of great case studies from your peers across industries and plenty of opportunity to learn from IBM and industry experts. Use the session preview tool to search for your favourite topics and build a session list. You can read more the session preview tool in an earlier blog post.

Product & Systems Development Zone- No more searching the Solution Center to find relevant experts and demonstrations. With our new 'Product & Systems Development Zone' clients will easily find the content they are looking for. It will be the place to be for systems engineers and embedded software developers to mingle with technical experts and discuss the latest technology we have to offer.

Agile is EVERYWHERE- and not just for IT. Hear from product & systems developments clients and analysts on the adoption patterns, pitfalls and success of agile product development.

Community Night- We'll be joined by local members of key engineering organizations. You’ll be able to see what they have to offer, and find out how they can help you with your long-term career goals and the benefits they can have for your companies.

Who doesn’t love Robots! Back by popular demand, the FIRST Robotics teams and their robots will be on-site to show their skills as the next generation of engineers.

Hands-on technical workshops & Open Labs- Get hands-on with our solutions for product & systems development either guided by experts in workshops or at your own pace in Open Labs.

But we here in Rational support have even better news for you! Because we are part of the Blue Galaxy initiative, we've got a special $300 discount to Innovate 2013 for our social followers. Use promo code BLGLXY13 to cash in on the savings when you register: http://ow.ly/iO21Z

The Invisible Thread blog post Stay ahead calls out the theme for Innovate 2013. On the surface, it seems simple enough, right? We all know we need to stay ahead in order to be successful... but the troubles come when we look into the logistics of what that all really means. Lucky for you (and us!) we have some amazing tracks lined up for the technical exchange at IBM Innovate 2013!

Just take a look at these tracks which will help you gain the specific skills, insights, and tangible ideas to keep you ahead and successful!

What better way for you to stay ahead in your own career? By attending this awesome value-packed five-day event, you'll get up to date on the latest technical trends that are driving business today: DevOps, Agile development, Mobile, Cloud, Social Business, Big Data, development analytics and more. You will hear directly from your peers, IBM Business Partners and technical experts to gain insight into how IBM solutions can meet today’s evolving challenges… and help you turn opportunities into business results. But most importantly, you'll walk away with more skills, knowledge, and great network contacts to help you succeed in your day-today job roles!

Innovate 2013: The IBM Technical Summit isthe event where software practitioners and product developers can learn to improve the practices, predictability and economics of software delivery. Attendees will find detailed Rational education and insights into key technical trends. Need some reasons to attend? How about:

Over 450 breakouts with practical guidance you can apply to your work

Innovative demonstrations from IBM and Business Partners at the high-energy Expo Hall

Networking with over 4,000 of your peers, top strategic and technical talent

Self-paced, technical open labs and a wide variety of certification tests

Dynamic speakers and entertainment

But wait, there's more! New at Innovate 2013 this year: Team Directions! This new stream explores key trends and directions that impact product development and software delivery teams, such as Agile, Cloud, Mobile, Big Data & Social Business. This Team Directions stream is in addition to our existing traditional Technical Exchange stream which offers the strategies, tips and techniques to improve productivity for professionals engaged in software, systems, and product development that you've come to expect from IBM Rational and Innovate.

The Innovate early bird rate is now in effect! Clients and partners who register before March 15th will receive $300off the regular rate of admission.